GEORGE WEST – Firefighters from George West, Three Rivers, and even Beeville spent well over four hours late Monday and early Tuesday fighting an aggressive structure fire at the Agave Jalisco Restaurant at 403 Nueces St.

The fire completely gutted the inside of the restaurant, leaving only debris and charred remains.

No injuries were immediately reported, but authorities were forced to temporarily shut down the portion of Highway 281 in that area while they fought the blaze, according to initial reports.

GW Police Chief Rey Garcia said authorities began receiving reports of smoke coming from the restaurant as early as 11:45 p.m. Monday. The business had closed at 10 p.m.

“Due to the age of the building and multiple layers of tar and roofing material extinguishing the fire was difficult,” the chief explained. “Fire departments from Three Rivers and Beeville arrived to assist in fighting the fire.”

As late as 5 a.m. Tuesday, fire personnel were still at the scene, and the Beeville Ladder Truck was shooting water down onto the hot spots.

By 7 a.m., the last of the firefighters had departed, and the markers blocking that portion of Highway 281 removed.

Authorities did not immediately speculate as to the cause of the fire.